Cultural Pittsfield This Week: November 16-22

Books, books, and more books! The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum Book Sale includes Christmas and holiday items; books in gift-giving condition; puzzles; audiobooks; DVDs; music cds, tape & vinyl; and much more. Prices start at 25¢. Best of all, all proceeds support the free Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum programs!

Berkshire Money Management is sharing the love by giving away 300 turkeys to needy individuals and families on Friday, November 16th at their offices on Melville Road. In addition to the turkeys, the company will be giving out gift certificates to Wohrle's Foods for all the fixings to make the Thanksgiving dinner complete. First come, first served.

The Festival of Trees opens Friday with a family-friendly evening of enchanting entertainment and delicious treats, all among the glittering trees gracing the galleries. This year's Festival of Trees:Myths and Magic at Berkshire Museum promises to be a wondrous world of enchantment with all of the galleries transformed into a fantasy land inhabited by ethereal creatures of legend and lore.

At age 98, filmmaker Arnon Goldfinger's grandmother passed away, leaving him the task of clearing out the Tel Aviv flat that she and her husband shared for decades since immigrating from Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Sifting through a dense mountain of photos, letters, files, and objects, Goldfinger begins to uncover clues that seem to point to a greater mystery and soon a complicated family history unfolds before his camera in this award-winning documentary.

Arlo Guthrie has always honored his father in song as well as in life. In honor of Woody's 100th birthday, Arlo & family members perform an intimate celebration of Woody Guthrie's immeasurable contributions to the landscape of American folk music. Best known for his song This Land is Our Land, Woody was a giant in the folk movement, inspiring a generation of new folk musicians, including Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Bob Dylan and of course his son, Arlo.

Pretend to be a mad scientist performing thrilling – and fun – science experiments! All experiments are kid-safe and can be recreated using items found in almost any kitchen. Adult must accompany child.

Check out amazing designer wear, vintage, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, the coolest collectible glass & unusual creations. Music will be played and refreshments will be served, all on sale beginning at noon, with a reception featuring refreshments and live music from 4pm to 7pm. Don't miss it! BerkChique is a pop-up shop and will be gone after January 2013.

Berkshire Ballroom Dancers/USA Dance host this Thanksgiving Dance, a night of dancing, featuring ballroom dancing and light refreshments. Music by DJ Dan DeBennedetto will kick off the dance party at 7:45pm. He will also provide free, basic swing lessons prior to that at 7pm.

Empty Set Project Space in Pittsfield honors the dance outreach project travelling to Nairobi, Kenya: They Dance For Rain. Drop off your tap shoes or hoop donations, see pictures from the first trip to Nairobi, hear more about an upcoming trip, admire the art work at Empty Set, drop off a contribution, or just come and hang out and visit. Edible and potable treats served.

Every month on the third Sunday, you're invited to join the monthly free jazz jam at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in downtown Pittsfield. Sit back and enjoy an afternoon full of great music or bring your instrument and join in!

Pittsfield Green Drinks is an informal gathering, open to everyone with any environmental interest. Meet likeminded people interested in changing the world for the better, and find new ways to take action to protect the environment. Held the 3rd Tuesday of every month!

The Berkshire Athenaeum invites school-aged LEGO enthusiasts to share ideas and creative energy at the LEGO Club, which meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Enjoy an hour of socializing with other LEGO fanatics, listening to music, using your imagination and sharing your ideas with your peers. This month's Lego theme is Favorite Foods (yup, that wedding cake is made from LEGOS!)

Local musicians and artists of the Berkshires will perform at the Fifth Annual Festival of American Music and Poetry. The concert will benefit the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations Emergency Fuel Fund. Performers include: Between the Banks, Andy Kelly, Carlton Maaia II, Rebecca Leigh, Graham Sturz, Linda Worster, Charlie Tokarz, Rob Fisch, Jon Hadad and Appollo Nzima.

Two rising local bands, Nostalgia and Suitcase Rodeo, come together at The Garage. Nostalgia is Hip Hop: living, breathing and working. The group features core members DRAMATIC, J.Soul, QuikMonee, and Jake Case. Suitcase Rodeo's music is electric and bursting at the seams with energy, to the point that even the most Grinch-like of curmudgeons would be hard pressed to resist the urge to dance.

All of here at the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development wish you and yours a peaceful day of thanks. We are grateful to live in a community of so many creative, talented, generous, hard-working, kind and giving people. Thank you to everyone who makes our lives brighter and more vibrant through their creative efforts, from pre-school musicians to elder craftspeople, and everyone in between. Happy Thanksgiving!

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